Molecular interactions are crucial for most biological processes and the basic characteristics of interactions are preserved in all the kingdoms of living beings.
Researching interactions between molecules is extremely important for understanding the complexity and functioning of various biological processes. The
Molecular Interaction Program Groups will deal with the research of molecular interactions of proteins in various biological processes, with an emphasis on the
pathogenesis and functioning of the immune system. Our main goal will be to understand the structural basis of molecular interactions, the plasticity of
interactions, and the consequent functioning of proteins. We will focus on some important virulence factors of human diseases such as tuberculosis, listeriosis,
malaria, aspergillosis, as well as some of the burning plant diseases, such as, for example, potato mold. From a theoretical point of view, we will contribute to
understanding the evolution of proteins and the evolution of binding sites on proteins for different ligands. We will investigate in particular: i) the mechanism of
action of proteins of intracellular bacteria such as mycobacteria, listeria and others, and their role in pathogenesis; ii) the mechanism of action of the supernorm of
MACPF / CDC proteins, and iii) the evolution of small tightly bound binding modules based on known protein structures damage the membranes. We also intend
to develop new approaches to regulate the activity of proteins, based on their knowledge of their interactions with other molecules. In addition to a fundamental
understanding of the functioning of proteins from selected biological processes, the acquired knowledge will also be used for the development of medical and
pharmaceutical approaches in the fight against various diseases, as well as elsewhere in biotechnology, using biological molecules in technological processes. Our
knowledge and experience will also be used in nanobiotechnological applications such as the development of new approaches for protein production, synthetic
biology of biological membranes, the use of proteins in nanobiotechnological applications and the pharmacological applications of large protein complexes.